Heal up, champ 💪 We and the #Giro are going to miss you, but we’re sure more opportunities to show yourself will come sooner or later! Photo: @BeelWout
"The Giro is open and exciting as never before" believes Jens Voigt following Remco Evenepoel's departure
CyclingWednesday, 17 May 2023 at 15:30
The departure of a star rider such as Remco Evenepoel could be considered a blow to any race. Eurosport analyst Jens Voigt however, believes that it makes the Maglia Rosa battle even more exciting at the Giro d'Italia.
"The Giro is open and exciting as never before," the German former Giro d'Italia stage winner says to Eurosport. “I can't remember a Grand Tour where the first three riders were within five seconds of each other after more than 100km. The competitors for the podium all look equally strong and balanced. From now on, every stage will be super exciting. Every single second will be at stake."
Currently, Geraint Thomas is the man in the Maglia Rosa with Primoz Roglic and Thomas's INEOS Grenadiers teammate Tao Geoghegan Hart filling out the remainder of the podium with just five seconds between all three riders. "Ineos Grenadiers certainly look the strongest now - they have their captain in the leader's jersey and a very strong young rider in third," says Voigt. "They have shown in the last few days that they are the strongest team."
But by no means is it a forgone conclusion that INEOS now take the Maglia Rosa all the way to Rome. "Primoz Roglic showed in the time trial that he should not be written off. He had a mixed start, but then improved and is one of the strongest riders on the mountain. The race is more exciting than ever," Voigt explains, “Joao Almeida should also be added to the list and Lennard Kamna. However, they have to be more active in the next stages and gain a few more seconds on the difficult stages."
“Evenepoel's elimination took us all completely by surprise, but in retrospect we have to say that in the time trial he was not as strong as we all expected," Voigt continues. "He was obviously not seriously ill, but it is enough that he lacks the crucial percentages of performance. Then the only solution is to go home. Even if it is difficult and painful to drop out while in the lead."
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